News

Funding renewed for Summer Health Professions Education Program

Published on January 7, 2020

The University of Iowa has received a renewal of funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to continue participation in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP).

SHPEP is a free, six-week summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for freshman or sophomore college students who are interested in the health professions. SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in health care to prepare them for success in a broad array of health professions schools.

Students can choose to participate in one of four different tracks of study; medicine, public health, dentistry, or pharmacy. The UI is one of 12 participating sites nationally, and one of only four sites to offer the public health track.

Dr. Denise Martinez, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the UI Carver College of Medicine and primary investigator for SHPEP at Iowa, said the program can make a big impact on the lives of participants.

“As a former participant of the program, I can say with confidence how life changing this program can be,” Dr. Martinez says. “For those from underrepresented backgrounds, it provides the tools and community to be successful in their chosen career path.”

Applications for the summer 2020 session are currently being accepted through Feb. 5.

More information about SHPEP at the University of Iowa